There were no real surprises in Basel this week as the top two seeds both reached the finals. That means it’s Roger Federer and Juan Martin Del Potro Sunday! Both guys seem to be in good form, especially the Argentine who just won Vienna and enters the championships bout riding an 8-match winning streak.

But Federer will be the prohibitive home favorite who’s playing in his ninth Basel final. Roger also owns a decisive head-to-head edge over Del Potro 13-2 however the last two have been marathon cliffhangers both won by the Swiss 19-17 at the Olympics and then in five at the French Open.

“I played better than yesterday. I know I have to play better tomorrow if I want to win this tournament,” said Del Potro after a 6-2, 6-2 win over Richard Gasquet. “I’m going step by step and enjoying this victory against Gasquet. It’s going to be a difficult final for me but I will be ready to play.”

At stake for Federer is not just a 7th title this year but No. 77 overall which would tie him with John McEnroe on the all-time list. After beating Paul-Henri Mathieu today 7-5, 6-4 he’s also at win No. 875, also equal with McEnroe.

“I’m excited about playing Juan Martin in the final. It’s great seeing him backing up his win in Vienna. We’ve played six times already this season. We had a couple of tough ones at [Roland Garros] and the Olympics. We can look back at some great matches and hopefully live up to another one tomorrow. I’m ready to go.”

As for a pick, Del Potro certainly is the hotter player but playing in Basel and having won all six meetings this year in the series I have to give a very slight edge to Federer.

In the Valencia final it’s David Ferrer against Alexandr Dolgopolov.

Tennis Channel as the Basel at 10am followed by the Valencia title match. Both on tape.

69 Comments for Federer Seeks Sixth Basel Title Sunday Against Del Potro; Ferrer In Valencia Final

jane Says:

I agree with your call, but I’d give him more than a slight edge, given it’s his home court and he’s 13-2 over Delpo! I know Delpo is dangerous, but I will be surprised if he wins tomorrow. In any case, he did well to reach his second final in as many weeks!

I was so disappointed when I learned Juan Martin had a “traveling girlfriend”. I thought he was a Christian. By all rights, he should stop crossing himself and lifting his hand up to Jesus. “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornnicators and adulterers God will judge.” Hebrews 13:4

DA, I don’t know . There was only one point that went against the server, and Del Potro came up with great first serves to save two of the three set points.

Federer had to really work the last set point with slice until he could go inside-out and force an error from Del Potro’s backhand. Clearly he didn’t trust himself to hit a forehand winner on such an important point.

If Federer can’t trust his forehand, he’s in trouble even against a good player. Against Del Potro, it’s a wonder he’s still in the match.

Sad for fed loss in Basel, but pretty much impossible not to be happy for JM. Fed was so patchy from the baseline the only way he was able to even be in that match was the serve.
And juan was so solid on his, especially the first two sets. Well, I said I thought fed would play Paris, but by mid-week, i thought otherwise. And today I think he will not play Paris, regardless of if he won or not.

Congrats to Delpo; he finally got the win over Fed, but only just! Are Delpo and Nole the only 2 to beat Fed in Basel then? For some reason I feel like Nalby had a win there, but was Fed playing?? Anyhow, Fed is definitely hard to beat at home.

Congrats to Ferrer as well; he won Valencia, which is close to his winning at home – he’s been denied that on clay, I think, so it’s nice to see him get this win.

All these contenders for WTF are claiming all the titles leading up to it: Ferrer, Delpo (2) and Berd have all won titles in the last 2 weeks. Interesting… I think we could be in for surprises in London!

Yes, Jane, David N. has a win over fed there, too, the commentators were saying that. Only those three since 06 I think. Those home tournaments are tough, I think he struggled a lot in the beginning. And the emotuonal stakes are really high

Congrats to Delpo that was a fantastic win against Roger in 3 tight sets,hes had a great couple of weeks,and the come back is now firmly on track,the thing he has to do now is to do it a in a slam,the question is can he beat 2 of the other top guys back to back,in best of 5 sets hmm? still great to see hes now heading in the right direction.

Oh yeah and congrats to Daveed Ferrer,if anyone deserves a title its him,who has had his fair share of knock backs,living in the shadow of Rafa cannot always be easy,so well done and good luck in the WTFs,good luck to all the players come to think of,with Rafa missing im pulling for Murray to end the season on a high,so go Murray.

absolutely diabolical performance by Federer in the final today, i’m afraid he’s slipped back into one of his ‘tennis comas’ which we seen all too often in 2008, 2009 and 2011

if he cant even string a decent point together Indoors and infront of his home fans then where does he go from there

of course now he’s scrapped Paris 1000 whuch i guess he needed to do but he really should look at his schedule and ask why he is having to miss three masters 1000 events in one season, surely you fucking prioritize those ahead of small events or dare i say – exhibitions in Argentina at the end of the season.

My gosh man, they had to play a 3rd set TB to determine the winner. Fed had his moments, and Delpo is a high quality player. Delpo was the stronger player today, but Fed got to his 7th Basel Final. Not bad. If Fed played just a hair better from the backcourt he would have won. But Delpo had something to do with that….congrats again to the big man. Fed, just keep playing and getting to semis at least where you always have a shot at a title.

Really well done to Juan Martine, great that he was able to win a match against Roger after losing so many times against him…doesn’t matter that Roger didn’t win, of course he will be disappointed, but what a gentleman at the end of the match to say he deserved to win and that he had lost a few times against roger this year, so it was his time.

Plus, I think Fed makes the right decision not to play Paris, to rest, for sure is the answer right now. Let Novak and Andy fight it out for the title.

Fed has won it, has that on his resume, so am pleased he has decided to rest.

and let’s face it, it was not a blow out or a let down, this was a highly fought match, close tie breaker, fed had his shots, didn’t pull it off. Am happy for Juan Martin, he is such a gentle giant of the game. Great smile too and loves Roger, has the greatest respect. In fact Fed has the greatest respect for him too.

I just watched ESPN2′s delayed broadcast, and I saw this as a very close match. Roger didn’t do well on the long points, and I see this as his impatience to end the points quickly, which is how he’s always played. Fed’s not a baseline slugger like the other guys, and it’s the reason why he’s lasted for so long on the tour.Delpo is a tough player to beat when he’s on.

I don’t think JMDP was being polite to Fed. He has genuine respect for Roger and has always praised Fed regardless of whether he wins or loses. To me, that’s genunine respect and admiration, not politeness.

Fed can’t win all of his matches at his age, but he’s doing darn well if I might say so, playing against guys who are 6-8 years younger than he is, and still manages to win titles.

I’m proud of Fed’s achievements. I doubt that most of his records will ever be broken.

Sampras must be happy that at least one of his records will remain intact.

Pretty close match, considering Roger’s GS were not as consistent. I believe Roger’s motivation has come down a bit after winning both Wimby and Olympics medal. He is not the same player we saw from end of last year till Wimbledon.